There are a number of problems that can occur with dentures, causing pain, suffering and severely impairing the quality of life of the wearer. Below is a list of the most common of these problems:
Common problems with dentures
Loose or ill-fitting dentures
Many people suffer from loose or ill-fitting dentures. This can result in:
Unhealthy eating habits
Poor-fitting dentures can make eating a painful or uncomfortable experience. Some denture wearers cope with the pain and discomfort by eating foods that are easier to chew, which excludes many healthy foods that are fibrous or have harder textures, such as vegetables, meat, nuts, and seeds. This may solve the issue in the short term, but over time can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, or even an eating disorder.
Gum and mouth irritation
Loose dentures can chafe the gums, causing mild or severe inflammation of the mouth. Swollen gums can easily become infected.
Changes to the jaw joint
Dentures that don’t fit properly can affect someone’s bite, leading to changes in the jaw joint. In turn, this can result in joint pain, headaches, pain in the neck and/or facial muscles, and can be severe enough to impact day-to-day living.
Jaw bone atrophy
Jaw bone atrophy is the most serious problem related to dentures because, unlike other bones in the body, the jaw bone cannot form new bone tissue. Constant wear and tear on the jaw bone causes it to gradually resorb, losing volume.
Denture stomatitis
Denture stomatitis is caused by a yeast or fungus called candida. It is not an infection that we get or pass on to others, because we all have some candida in our mouths. Thrush can appear in other parts of the body, but when it affects the mouth it may be called ‘denture stomatitis’.
If left un-treated it can result in soreness within the mouth and impact the fit of the dentures.
It is generally treated by changing the oral hygiene and denture hygiene regimes, leaving the denture out more, and sometimes by prescribing anti-fungal medications.
A cracked denture
A hairline crack in a denture is worth attending to as soon as possible, because they can often be repaired fairly simply. If left, the crack can enlarge, leading to a catastrophic failure of the denture.
Losing a tooth off the denture
It is not uncommon for a denture tooth to break off, especially if the bite is quite heavy. This can impact the aesthetics of the denture and also the function of the teeth. The detached tooth, or a new replacement, can often be attached to the denture without the need for a new denture.
Losing a clasp off the denture
A retaining clasp breaking off a denture can have a big impact on how well the denture stays in place. If left, this can have knock-on effects on the denture and also natural teeth. It may be possible for the dentist to have a new clasp added to the denture by the dental laboratory.
How can The 247 Dentist help with denture problems?
The 247 Dentist can arrange for simple repairs or additions of teeth or clasps to be made to the denture. Our emergency dentists can also help in the treatment of candidiasis through advice, local measures and provision of medications.
If you need an emergency dentist appointment, get in touch today or book a video appointment online.